Summit County, situated in Ohio, is a predominantly urban area with a population of roughly 540,000. The county’s median household income stands at $59,253, slightly above the state average but below the national average. However, economic prosperity is not uniform across all regions of the county. Certain neighborhoods grapple with high poverty rates, unemployment, and crime, along with challenges like limited access to healthcare, education, and transportation. In this piece, we will examine five of the most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Summit County, Ohio, drawing on data from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau.
1. Elizabeth Park Valley
Elizabeth Park Valley, nestled in Akron, the county’s largest city and its seat, is located in the southeastern part of the city, near the border with Portage County. The neighborhood houses around 4,000 residents, with African Americans constituting 91% of the population. Shockingly, the poverty rate in Elizabeth Park Valley stands at a staggering 56%, over four times the county average.
Median household income plummets to $18,750, less than a third of the county’s average. Unemployment also soars, with a rate of 17%, more than double the county’s average. The area is further marked by high crime rates, both violent and property-related, alongside low educational attainment and homeownership.
2. North Hill
Another Akron neighborhood, North Hill, lies in the city’s north-central region and is home to approximately 23,000 residents, with 40% being foreign-born. The area boasts a diverse population, housing immigrants and refugees from countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Somalia, and Iraq. The poverty rate in North Hill is 38%, more than three times higher than the county average.
Median household income is a meager $28,500, less than half of the county average. Unemployment is also significantly high at 12%, nearly double the county average. Challenges in the neighborhood include language barriers, cultural differences, discrimination, and limited access to social services and resources.
3. Goodyear Heights
Goodyear Heights, also located in Akron, can be found in the eastern part of the city and is named after the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, which had a major factory in the area. With a population of about 19,000 people, this neighborhood sees 75% white and 18% African American residents.
The poverty rate here reaches 28%, more than double the county average. Median household income stands at $34,000, around 43% lower than the county average. Unemployment is at 10%, higher than the county’s average. Drug abuse and overdose deaths are prevalent, while health insurance coverage and healthcare facility accessibility remain limited.
4. Barberton
Barberton is a city in the southwest part of Summit County, founded in 1891 by industrialist O.C. Barber. The city is home to approximately 25,000 people, with a predominantly white (92%) population, and a smaller African American (4%) community.
The poverty rate in Barberton is 24%, almost twice the county average. Median household income is $39,000, approximately 34% lower than the county average, with an unemployment rate of 9%, higher than the county’s average. The city faces high rates of obesity and diabetes, and low levels of college education and civic engagement.
5. Twinsburg
Twinsburg, located in the northeast part of Summit County, has a population of around 19,000 residents, primarily comprising white (75%) and African American (15%) residents. Twinsburg experiences a poverty rate of 14%, higher than the county average, but fares better in terms of median household income at $66,000, approximately 12% higher than the county average.
The unemployment rate here is 7%, similar to the county average. However, the city contends with high housing costs and income inequality, and struggles with low public transportation options and walkability.
In Conclusion
Summit County, Ohio, is a county with a diverse history and culture, though it grapples with substantial disparities among its various neighborhoods and communities.
Elizabeth Park Valley, North Hill, Goodyear Heights, Barberton, and Twinsburg are among the neighborhoods facing challenges such as high poverty, unemployment, crime, and health issues, in addition to low income, education levels, homeownership, and access to social services.
These factors significantly impact residents’ quality of life and the county’s overall development and prosperity. It is imperative to address these issues and provide these neighborhoods with more opportunities and resources to enhance their economic and social well-being.